Radio receiver pushbutton tuner



Nov. 26, 1968 F. F. PELLETIER 3,412,619

RADIO RECEIVER PUSHBUTTON TUNER Filed March 1, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1FIG. I.

FIG. 3. FERNAND E PELLET/ER INVENTOR ATTORNEY Nov. 26, 1968 F. F.PELLETIER RADIO RECEIVER PUSHBUTTON TUNER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March1, 1967 INVENTOR R m E u w E m N m F BYMK ATTORNEY United States Patent3,412,619 RADIO RECEIVER PUSHBUTTON TUNER Fernand F. Pelletier,Baltimore, Md., assignor to The Bendix Corporation, Baltimore, Md., acorporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 1, 1967, Ser. No. 619,742 5 Claims.(Cl. 74-1033) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A radio receiver tuner withturnover pushbutton capable of being set up on two separate stations foreach pushbutton, one of which stations may be on the AM broadcast bandand the other station on the FM broadcast band. Dual tuning slides areassociated with each pushbutton, one on each side of its pushbutton. Atab on the pushbutton engages a slot in one or the other of the slides,depending on the rotational position of the pushbutton, causing theslide so engaged to be activated when the bushbutton is depressed.

Background of the invention The development of the pushbutton tuner inthe automotive radio field met with almost unqualified approval due tothe ease with which the individual pushbuttons could be set up, the easeand speed with which the radio receiver could be tuned to the variousstations set up on the pushbuttons, and the safety inherent in beingable to locate familiar stations without having to search through thebroadcast band. When the tuner is used in a radio receiver covering asingle broadcast band, such as the AM broadcast band, a different AMstation can be set up on each pushbutton allowing as many stations to beselected by pushbutton as there are pushbuttons provided on the tuner.

When used in a dual broadcast band radio receiver, such as an AM/FMreceiver, the tuner is provided with a band switch which may be operatedeither manually or through a cam-follower actuated 'by a cam which is anintegral part of the pushbutton. The cam is in the form of a tab whichserves to force the cam-follower and hence the switch either into an AMor FM position depending on the location of the tab and the shape of thecam-follower. Using this type of tuner, certain pushbuttons have tabs sopositioned so as to switch the receiver into an AM mode of operation,and the other pushbuttons have tabs so positioned so as to switch thereceiver into an FM mode. AM stations are set up on the AM pushbuttonsand FM stations are set up on the FM pushbuttons. If the receiver bandswitch is in the FM mode and an AM pushbutton on which an AM station wasset up is depressed, the pushbutton tab automatically forces thecam-follower to move the band switch to the AM position while tuning thereceiver to the selected AM station. It will be noted that using thistype of tuner, a different station may be set up on each pushbutton butthe decision as to which and how many pushbuttons can be set up on FMstations and which pushbuttons can be set up on AM stations is made bythe tuner designer.

The limitations of the last mentioned tuner system will be realized whenthe tastes of the various listeners are considered along with thedilferent geographical locations in which the receiver will be used. Onelistener whose tastes run to the type of programming normally found onthe FM broadcast band may find that the tuner designer has not chosen toprovide enough FM pushbuttons, while another listener may desire more AMpushbuttons. The next development of the receiver pushbutton tuner wastherefore the development of the so-called turnover pushbutton whichallowed the listener to set up any Patented Nov. 26, 1968 combination ofFM and AM stations, from all FM stations to all AM stations, on thepushbuttons. The tumover pushbutton is rotatable continuously about itslongitudinal axis and is detented at intervals. Dual tabs in the natureof cams are provided on the pushbutton on diametrically oppositesurfaces, one tab being so positioned to switch the receiver into the AMmode of operation, and the other tab being so positioned, when thepushbutton has been rotated 180, to switch the receiver into the FMmode. As in the other tuner systems previously discussed, one station isset up on each pushbutton. The listener was now free to set up anycombination of AM and FM stations on his tuner limited only by the totalnumber of pushbuttons on the tuner. However, if a pushbutton has beenset up on a station in one band, for example, the FM band and then thepushbutton is turned over and depressed, the tab on the pushbutton willcause the receiver to switch to the other band, AM. The pushbutton,additionally, moves the tuner elements to a position which correspondsto the FM station set up on that button, but since the receiver is inthe AM mode, there is no station corresponding to that position of tunerelements, so that no station is received for that combination.

The tuners aforementioned are well known in the art. Briefly, this typeof tuner includes a number of tuning slides or actuators, usually five,each having a pushbutton fixedly or rotatively mounted on one end and aresettable cam segment articulately mounted on the other end. If the camsegment is clamped to the tuning slide and a pushbutton is depressed,its tuning slide and cam segment move toward, and the cam segment abutsa tilt bar structure which tilts to conform with the set position of theabutting cam segment. The tilt bar structure, through a system oflinkages, positions a slidable carriage carrying tuning slugs so as toposition the tuning slugs in their various stationary coil tuning units.The tilt angle to which the tilt bar structure will rotate depends onthe set position of the cam segment. A locking mechanism on the tuningslide normally clamps the cam segment in the set position. The camsegment can be reset by exerting an outward force on the pushbuttonwhich unlocks the segment. When the pushbutton is depressed with thesegment locked, the tilt bar structure will conform to the segmentspreset position. Now, however, if the pushbutton is depressed with thesegment unlocked, the segment will conform with the preset position ofthe tilt bar structure. Additionally, the segment is relocked when thepushbutton is depressed. Therefore, to reset the particular pushbutton,the segment is unlocked and the radio manually tuned to a desiredstation. This will rotate the tilt bar structure to an anglecorresponding to the tuned station. The pushbutton is then depressed,causing the segment to conform to this tilt bar structure angle andsimultaneously locking it at this angle. Subsequent activations of thispushbutton will cause the tilt bar structure to realign itself to thepreset segment angle, hence tuning the radio to the station preset onthat pushbutton.

Where the tuner is to be used in an automotive radio receiver theminimum cross-sectional area of a pushbutton must be determined, in ahuman engineering sense, by considering the size pushbutton which can beconveniently manipulated by the gloved hand of an operator. Thecross-sectional area of the tuning slide has no such human limitationsto be considered. In short, the best pushbutton should be as wide aspossible with generous separation between pushbuttons, consistent withspace limitations, while the tuning slide can be made narrow.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, in the embodiment of the instantinvention, two tuning slides have been provided for each turnoverpushbutton, one on each side of its associated pushbutton. Additionally,a third tab has been added to each pushbutton. Each tuning slide isprovided with a transverse slot. The added tab on the pushbutton engageseither one or the other of the slide slots depending on the rotationalorientation of the pushbutton. An AM station can be set up on the tuningslide engaged by the third tab when the pushbutton is rotated into theAM position. An FM station can be set up on the other tuning slide whichis engaged by the third tab when the pushbutton is rotated into the FMposition. This allows the listener to set up two stations for each tunerpushbutton provided, one of which is on the AM broadcast band and theother on the FM band.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tunerconstructed in accord ance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the cooperation of the pushbutton anddual slides.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a tuner.

FIG. 4 is a section taken through the longitudinal axis of a pushbuttonshowing the turnover features,

Description of the preferred embodiment FIG. 1 shows a plan view of atuner constructed in accordance with this invention including a frontmounting panel 12 for mounting the tuner to the escutcheon of a radio orthe like. A tuning mechanism 13 is actuated by one of the tuning slides14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a or 18b as chosen bydepressing the proper pushbutton when that pushbutton has been rotatedinto the proper position as will be fully explained below. The detailsof the tuning mechanism 13 have been omitted for clarity and brevity.Tuning mechanisms of the type contemplated for use with this inventionare well known in the art and have previously been discussed. Briefly,they include a resettable articulated cam segment mounted on each tuningslide which abuts and positions a rotatable tilt bar structure when thetuning slide is depressed. The tilt bar structure linearly positions aslidable carriage carrying a plurality of tuning slugs so as to positionthe tuning slugs in their various stationary coil tuning units. In thepresent embodiment of the invention, certain of these tuning coil andslug combinations would be predesignated for AM operation and others forFM operation. Tuning mechanisms of this type have been taught by thepatent to H. J. McGarvey, Patent No. 2,267,474, issued Dec. 23, 1941,with improvements to the aforementioned resettable cam segment mountedon the tuning slide as taught by the patent to E. H. Allen, 2,659,236,issued Nov. 17, 1953.

It will be noted that the tuner illustrated in the various drawingsincludes five pushbuttons. The exact number of pushbuttons which can beused with this invention is, of course, arbitrary and any discussion ofthe structure or operation of one pushbutton and its related cooperatingparts is relevant to all pushbuttons. Bar 140 is free to slide linearlytoward tuner mechanism 13 in slots 41 and 45 located in panels 12 and 33respectively when urged rearward by a force applied on pushbutton 14mounted thereon. A tab 14-1 which is integral with pushbutton 14 hasengaged a slot in tuning slide 14b. As pushbutton 14 moves rearward, tab14-1 carries tuning slide 14b, which is supported by slots 42 and 46,with it, actuating the tuning mechanism. Pushbutton 14 with itscooperating tuning slide 14b and bar 14c are returned to the startingposition shown by spring 14d upon removal of the pushbutton rearwardmotion producing force. Bar 140 and pushbutton 14 are restrained in theforward direction by pin 14e, driven into bar 14c, abutting panel 33.

Referring to FIG. 2, bar 140 is seen to have a cylindrical section 43and an enlarged cylindrical section 44 which is slidably fitted intocylindrical pushbutton hole 45. Tuning slide 14b has slot 56 whichpushbutton tab 14-1 engages. Pushbutton 14 is rotatable about bar 140into two stable positions, one such position being that as shown in FIG.2 with the pushbutton legend FM up so that tab 14-1 is to the rightengaging slide 14b, and the other position being with legend AM up sothat tab 14-1 is to the left engaging slide 14a. Before leaving FIG. 2note the protuberance 50a on the flat position of cylindrical section44.

Referring to FIG. 4, protuberance 50a is shown detented by spring 60into pushbutton detent groove 5012 thus providing the first of theaforesaid pushbutton rotationally stable positions. Tab 14-1 is seen tobe toward the right. Spring 60 is constrained within pushbutton 14 bybushing 52 slidably fitted to cylindrical section 43 and staked intopushbutton 14 by staking tangs 53 and 54. Since the detent surfaces 50aand 50b are symmetrical about the vertical axis of cylindrical section44, pushbutton 14 may be easily moved into its second rotationallystable position by simply rotating it one-half turn. In this secondposition tab 14-1 will be toward the left.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and l, a switch 20 which is used to switch theradio receiver from AM to FM mode of operation and vice versa, isfastened to panel 12. A sheet metal cam-follower 22 has end positions 25and 32 slidably restrained in slots disposed in flaps 26 and 34respectively, turned out from panel 12. Cam-follower 22 additionallyincludes stiffening section 48 and extension 46 in which is pierced hole47 which engages sliding switch button 27. Pushbutton 14 has extendedcam surfaces 14-2 and 143 located asymmetrically with respect to thepushbutton vertical axis. Cam surfaces 14 2 and 14-3 can be seen ingreater detail in FIG. 2. In like manner, pushbutton 16 has cam surfaces16-2 and 16-3 and pushbutton 18 has cam surfaces 18-2 and 18-3. It will:be noted that with a pushbutton rotated so that the legend FM is up,the cam surfaces are to the right of the pushbutton vertical centerlineand with a pushbutton rotated so that the legend AM is up, the camsurfaces are to the left of the pushbutton vertical centerline.Referring particularly to FIG. 1, cam follower 22 is seen to includecut-out portions 16 and 18 and cam follower surfaces 23 and 24. Ifpushbutton 16 is depressed, cam 16-2 will engage cam-follower 22 atsurface 23, forcing cam-follower 22 to the right carrying with it switchbutton 27 causing switch 20 to move to a new position. If, however,pushbutton 18 is first depressed, cam 123-? will move into cut-outportion 18' and cam follower 22 and switch 20 will remain in the stateillustrated. If pushbutton 18 is depressed after the depression ofpushbutton 16 has caused cam-follower 22 to move to the right, cam 18-3will engage cam-follower 22 at surface 24 causing the cam-follower toshift to the left into the position illustrated. It therefore becomesapparent that because of the asymmetrical location of the earns, thedepression of any pushbutton having the legend AM turned up will causecam follower 22 to move to the left if it was previously to the right,or remain at the left if it was already at the left, and the depressionof any pushbutton having the legend FM turned up will cause cam follower22 to move or remain to the right depending upon its previous position.

The foregoing discussion has shown how each pushbutton in a tuner can bemade to select two different stations, and if the receiver operates ontwo different broadcast bands, how the proper band is automaticallyselected.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a pushbutton tuner including a tuning means and plurality ofpushbuttons having multiple rotationally selectable stable positions, animprovement comprising,

a plurality of tuning means actuators associated with each pushbutton,one said actuator for each said rotationally stable pushbutton position,and

means disposed on each said pushbutton releasably engaging a differentsaid actuator in each said rotationally stable pushbutton position.

2. A pushbutton tuner as claimed in claim 1 for radio receivers operablein AM and FM modes having additionally a switching means for selectingsaid receiver mode,

multiple cam surfaces disposed on said pushbuttons, and a bistable camfollower cooperating with said cam surfaces to actuate said switchingmeans. 3. A pushbutton tuner as claimed in claim 2 wherein, saidactuator engaging means comprises a tab disposed on said pushbutton, andeach said actuator contains a slot releasably engaged by said tab. 4. Apushbutton tuner as claimed in claim 3 wherein each said pushbutton hastwo rotationally stable positions. 5. In a pushbutton tuner for radioreceivers operable in either an AM or FM mode of operation, including aswitching means for selecting receiver operation mode, tuning means, aplurality of pushbuttons having selectable first and second positions,each said pushbutton having dual cam surfaces, and a bistable camfollower cooperating with said dual cam surfaces to actuate saidswitching means, the improvement comprising,

a tab on each said pushbutton, and

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,356,935 8/1944 Koch 7427 X3,212,343 10/1965 Clark 74-10.37

3,247,728 4/1966 Wolf et al. 7410.37

MILTON KAUFMAN, Primary Examiner.

